The 2021 NFL Draft is less than a month away, and with 11 picks, Howie Roseman and the Eagles are facing perhaps more pressure than ever to find starting players throughout the draft.
Although it isn't near the top of their list of needs, the Eagles will almost certainly be drafting a running back to pair with Miles Sanders. Not only will they need a running back that fits well with Sanders, but that back will need to be able to catch the ball out of the backfield, something that will be a requirement in Nick Sirianni's offense.
Here are the 8 running backs Eagles should be targeting throughout the draft:
Najee Harris, Alabama:
Height/Weight: 6-foot-2, 230 pounds
College Stats: 718 touches, 4,624 yards, 57 touchdowns (51 games)
Projected Round: 1st/2nd
Analysis: The Eagles would likely have to trade back into the first-round to land Harris, but there is a slim chance he will drop to No. 37 overall. If he does, taking him with their second-round pick would be a move that would really help the offense. Harris has a chance to be special in the NFL, as he is a physical runner that can run both through and around defenders. He also has great hands out of the backfield and showed at his Pro Day he can run more than just the usual running back routes. He might be considered a bit of a luxury pick at No. 37, but the combination of Harris and Sanders out of the backfield would give the Eagles potentially one of the best duos in the NFL.
Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis:
Height/Weight: 5-foot-11, 191 pounds
College Stats: 292 touches, 2,212 yards, 17 touchdowns (16 games)
Projected Round: 3rd
Analysis: Gainwell has all the tools to be an impact player in the passing game right away. Gainwell averaged 10.0 yards-per-catch last season on 51 catches, doing his damage in a variety of ways. He can line up in the slot if needed, but is also elusive enough after the catch to take a short pass in the flat and turn it into a big play. Gainwell needs work in pass protection, which could keep him off the field to start, but once he improves in that area he as the potential to be a valuable part of the passing game.
Demetric Felton, UCLA:
Height/Weight: 5-foot-10, 200 pounds
College Stats: 332 touches, 2,059 yards, 15 touchdowns (31 games)
Projected Round: 5th round
Analysis: Although he won't be running defenders over at the next level, Felton is one of the both versatile players in the draft, as he played both running back and receiver at UCLA. He had an impressive week at the Senior Bowl, showing he can be a solid route runner at receiver, while also having the open-field moves you like to see from a running back. Pass-catching backs will be crucial in Nick Sirianni's offense, and with the receiving issues Miles Sanders had last season, adding Felton with a late-round pick would be a wise move for the Eagles.
Rhamondre Stevenson, Oklahoma:
Height/Weight: 6-foot, 246 pounds
College Stats: 193 touches, 1,478 yards, 13 touchdowns (19 games)
Projected Round: 4th round
Analysis: Stevenson could be a fit if the Eagles are looking for a between-the-tackles running back to pair with Sanders. Stevenson is at his best running in short yardage situations and up the middle of the field, where he can use his physical style to run over defenders as opposed to trying to beat them in the open field. He is solid, but not special, out of the backfield as a receiver.
Pooka Williams Jr., Kansas:
Height/Weight: 5-foot-10, 170 pounds
College Stats: 481 touches, 2,916 yards, 16 touchdowns (26 games)
Projected Round: 6th round
Analysis: Williams is one of the more elusive running backs in this year's draft and has a similar running style to former Eagles running back LeSean McCoy. Williams takes some negative plays as he dances in the backfield, something that will drive coaches mad, but his ability to break open big plays makes up for it. He is a capable receiver out of the backfield as well, and if Sirianni can get him into open space, Williams can be a big-play threat right away for the Eagles.
Chris Evans, Michigan:
Height/Weight: 5-foot-11, 216 pounds
College Stats: 369 touches, 2,274 yards, 17 touchdowns (42 games)
Projected Round: 6th round
Analysis: Evans is another track star in this year's draft, and he displayed that speed in the open field last season at Michigan. Evans is more in the category of a smaller, elusive running back, but he has shown he is a willing runner between the tackles as well. He is a capable receiver out of the backfield. A part-time player at Michigan, Evans doesn't project to be a difference maker, but he could be a very solid third running back.
Ottis Anderson, UCF:
Height/Weight: 5-foot-11, 174 pounds
College Stats: 449 touches, 3,207 yards, 26 touchdowns (46 games)
Projected Round: 7th round
Analysis: If the Eagles are looking for a receiver that has experience lining up in the slot, Anderson might be their guy. Anderson was one of the top playmakers on UCF's offense in 2019, averaging 11.8 yards-per-catch and 6.4 yards-per-carry. He is able to line up all over the field, and has the speed needed to turn short catches into big gains. His numbers dipped in 2020, but he could end up being a steal in the later rounds.
Shane Simpson, Virginia:
Height/Weight: 5-foot-11, 200 pounds
College Stats: 67 touches, 411 yards, 3 touchdowns (10 games)
Projected Round: 7th round
Analysis: Simpson is going to be a tough prospect to get a read on, as he spent the first three years of his college career at Towson, missing significant time due to injuries before transferring to Virginia. He got limited touches last season, but looked good when he did have the ball, especially out of the backfield as a receiver. Simpson is capable in pass protection, which could help him get on the field sooner.
Check Out Other Prospect Rankings For the Eagles' 2021 NFL Draft:
** Wide Receiver
You can reach Eliot Shorr-Parks on Twitter at @EliotShorrParks or email him at esp@94wip.com!
